The Floridians makes available the archives, manuscripts and other personal collections of Florida leaders, including architects, visual and performing artists, writers, politicians, ecologists, etc. These collections contain the priceless and varied record of stewardships that wielded statewide and national significance. The collections also contain a varied picture of local history in Florida communities, the interaction of the environment and development, and the essential changes resulting from Florida's tremendous growth in the 20th century. The record of how our leaders dealt with these challenges rests within these collections.

SubCollections

The Papers of Governor C. Farris Bryant cover the years 1942 to 1977, with an emphasis on the Florida Legislative, gubernatorial elections in 1956 and 1960, and his career in the Federal Office of Emergency Planning.Papers of Governor C. Farris Bryant

Lawton M. Chiles, Jr. served in the United States Senate from 1971 to 1989. Prior to that, he was a member of the Florida Legislature representing his hometown of Lakeland. Chiles is best known for his celebrated walk across Florida in 1970 to run for the Senate. The walk elevated him from a political unknown to the Democratic front runner in the 1970 Democratic Senate primary. He later served as Governor of Florida.
The Lawton Chiles Senate Collection contains constituent mail, staff files, legislative records, press files, campaign records and audiovisual materials. Some of the latter appear in the digital collections.Lawton Chiles

This collection holds materials from and related to former US Senator George A. Smathers, who was designated a Great Floridian by the State of Florida in 1994.Papers of George A. Smathers